Why You Should Choose a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

If you’re thinking about having cosmetic or reconstructive work done on your face or body, you’ll want to do your research before choosing a surgeon. You’ll find many options, but they aren’t all equal. Before you undergo any procedures, look for a board-certified plastic surgeon. You should also understand the answer to why choose a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Contact us today to learn more on the importance of choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon for your cosmetic procedures, and how double-board certified Houston Surgeon Dr. Leo Lapuerta can help you today. Call us to schedule a free consultation today!

What Does a “Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon” Mean?

When a doctor says they are board-certified in plastic surgery, it means they have received a certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). They can only get this certification after completing a formal residency in plastic surgery and passing a written exam as well as an oral exam.

How to Check if a Plastic Surgeon is Board-Certified

Only plastic surgeons who have received the certification by the ABPS may state that designation. You will probably see it on their website and at their clinic or office. They will also display the symbol of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS must be board-certified.

Pay careful attention to how surgeons designate themselves. They may say they are board-certified or list another certification. However, they aren’t allowed to display the symbol from ASPS unless they are board-certified in plastic surgery.

Cosmetic Surgeon vs. Plastic Surgeon

Cosmetic surgeons aren’t the same as plastic surgeons. They both have been trained to do many of the same procedures, but the training itself is quite different. For instance, a plastic surgeon must complete thousands of procedures during their residency while a cosmetic surgeon only needs to do 300.

Plastic surgeons must go through six to eight years in a residency, learning from experienced plastic surgeons and performing procedures under their watchful eye. Cosmetic surgeons are only required to do one to two years of supervised training.

Why It’s Important to Choose a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

When you decide to have plastic surgery, you may be undergoing a serious procedure that involves major alterations. You want to know that you’re in good hands – experienced hands that have performed this same procedure countless other times. Here’s four reasons why to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon.

1. They Pass Specialized Trainings
   Doctors who wish to be board-certified in plastic surgery must go through a minimum of six years of surgical training. This includes an accredited training program for plastic surgery of five years.
2. They Have Relevant Aesthetic Expertise
   For a doctor to become a board-certified plastic surgeon, they must perform thousands of surgical procedures for reconstruction and cosmetic reasons. They will spend more than 3,000 hours each year working under trained plastic surgeons as they learn firsthand about the procedures they will be doing when they are out on their own.
3. They Continuously Participate in Educational Programs
   For the rest of their career, plastic surgeons must attend a minimum amount of continuing education credits to keep their certifications. This ensures that they stay up to date on the latest changes and procedures in plastic surgery.
4. They Pass Testing
   Plastic surgeons take multiple written and oral examinations to receive certification to ensure they have an in-depth understanding of their field. Oral exams are performed on actual cases they have handled during their residency.

If you’re considering plastic surgery for your face or body, let Texas board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Leo Lapuerta help you achieve your goals. From facelifts to breast augmentations to liposuction, he has completed thousands of procedures for his patients. Hismission is to provide the best patient care with the right treatment for their needs. As a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon, he is dedicated to quality care regardless of the procedure you choose.

Contact us today to learn more about how Dr. Lapuerta can help you look and feel your best.